Lillian Ann "Ann" Bowen Passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012. Ann, daughter of William and Barbara Neill was born October 26, 1926 in Alliance, NE. A small town daughter of a grocery man, she grew up in Wyoming and later married her first husband, Allen Alter in 1947. They had one child, Warren. Becoming a single mother in 1958, she began her first career as an English teacher at the University of Wyoming with a M.Ed from the University of Colorado. She went on to meet and marry her lifelong love, Theodore Bowen in 1961. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year. After moving to Tucson in 1963, Ann decided to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. She completed Law School at the University of Arizona and passed the Bar in AZ at a time when very few women were in the field of law. She accepted a position at the US Justice Department in Washington, DC where she worked until being appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney in AZ. She left that office as the Chief of the Criminal Section in 1974 and began a short career in private practice. Ann made an unsuccessful bid for public office, running for Pima County Attorney in 1976. She eventually became a Tucson City Court Magistrate, and was later appointed as the first female Chief City Magistrate. She retired in 1994 after 16 years on the bench, moved for a time to Show Low/Pinetop where she returned to the bench as City Magistrate of Show Low, retiring again in 1997. She was the first woman on the AZ Supreme Court's Committee on Character and Fitness (serving as Vice Chairman and Chairman). She enjoyed being a role model and mentor to many lawyers and was recognized in November, 2000 by the Arizona Bar Association as one of the "Arizona Trailblazers Honoring 100 Women and Minority Lawyers in Arizona." Her recent years have been devoted to her family and her love of reading. An active member in her book club, she was continually regaling the family with the latest book. Throughout her career as a working mother/wife, she always made time for her family. Her list of accomplishments wouldn't be complete if we didn't include being a Cub Scout Den Mother, and President of a DeMolay Mother's Club. She was extremely proud of her family and took pride in sharing their accomplishments with whoever would listen. Ann is survived by her husband, Ted Bowen; son, Warren Alter (Nancy); granddaughters, Katie Alter and Amanda (Rich) Arndt. Her leadership, work ethic, and love will never be forgotten. A Memorial Service will be held at EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY CHAPEL, 5801 E. Grant Rd, on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association , American Diabetes Association , or your favorite charity in her name would be a loving tribute.
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